Head Injury – Ages 0-11
What is it
A head injury occurs when the head receives a blow or impact. For example, an object may hit the head, or the head may hit the ground during a fall.
Related sheet available: Head Injury – Ages 12 and over
What you can do at home
What to do
- Reassure the child and make them comfortable.
- If there is a minor wound, gently wash it with tap water and mild, unscented soap (see the Superficial Wound page).
- If there is a bump or bruise, apply a cold washcloth for 15 minutes (see the Bruise or Bump page).
- Cover the wound with a bandage.
- Change the bandage once a day or whenever it becomes dirty or wet.
- Choose restful activities and have small meals.
- To reduce pain, take acetaminophen (Tylenol). When in doubt, ask a pharmacist for advice.
Important: Ibuprofen is contraindicated for children under 6 months of age.
If the wound is bleeding heavily
- Place a bandage or clean cloth over the wound.
- Apply pressure to the bandage for 15 minutes.
- Once the bleeding has slowed, gently wash the wound with tap water and mild, unscented soap for a few minutes, then rinse.
- Cover the wound with a bandage.
- Change the bandage once a day or whenever it becomes dirty or wet.
Monitor symptoms
- Monitor the child for the first 2 hours after the injury.
- Watch for: headache, dizziness, nausea, unusual tiredness, blurred vision, or loss of balance.
- If it is nap or bedtime, let the child sleep. After 2 hours, wake the child to make sure they are walking, talking, and responding as usual.
- Continue to monitor for symptoms for 3 days.
- Inform the daycare or school, if needed.
When to seek medical attention
- The wound is open or deep and may need stitches.
- The skin around the wound becomes red, swollen, or warm, or there is pus (yellow-green fluid).
- The injury was caused by a rusty object.
- The headache lasts for more than 3 days.
Need help?
Call Info-Santé at 811, Option 1, to speak with a nurse at any time.
Go to the pharmacy for advice on medications or treatment.
Make an appointment at your medical clinic or CLSC.
If you do not have a family doctor, go to gap.soinsvirtuels or call 811, Option 3.
When to go to the hospital right away
The child fell from a height of more than 1 meter or fell down more than 5 steps.
The child lost consciousness.
The child’s behaviour changes, including:
- having difficulty waking up;
- walking unusually;
- having muscle weakness;
- having difficulty speaking;
- being very irritable;
- crying continuously for more than 10 minutes.
The wound continues to bleed even after applying pressure.
There is concern that the child may have been physically abused.
Within 3 days of the head injury, the child develops any of the following
- seizures;
- confusion;
- difficulty breathing;
- difficulty walking;
- problems with balance or muscle weakness;
- difficulty speaking;
- severe headache or neck pain;
- a bulging soft spot on the top of the head (fontanelle);
- fluid coming from the nose or ears;
- unequal pupils (the black circles in the eyes);
- tingling in an arm or leg;
- bruising behind the ear;
- a black eye.
Vomiting starts or continues more than 4 hours after the head injury.
For babies under 3 months:
a large bruise (collection of blood or hematoma) on the scalp or forehead.
For kids 3 months to 2 years:
a large bruise (collection of blood or hematoma) measuring more than 2.5 cm on the scalp or forehead.